Chapter 32

Juliette refused to sleep in the same bed with Blaze and stayed up all night aiding in final preparations. It was as if she's been instantly diagnosed with insomnia. She couldn't sleep, wouldn't even entertain the idea. She feared her mind would force the incident she tried to bury, back to the forefront of her mind.

Now as the wedding was moments from beginning she felt as if she was working on borrowed energy. She slipped into her dress and accessories. Without studying herself in the mirror she made her way to where she could be of some assistance. If she stayed with herself and her thoughts she might relapse into an endless stream of tears.

She blindly walked into a figure, her mind only then giving her vision of reality. "Whoa." The amused tone caused Juliette to flinch; she tensed as strong hands prevented her from recoiling, he steadied her and she looked up blankly into his smiling features.

If Blaze noticed her obvious unexcited state then he gave no indication. "Okay?" his voice cloaking her in a way he himself was not able to. She nodded slowly. Her eyes locked with his.

"You look stunning." His hand brushed against her hair, sweeping it away from her shoulder, his face moving closer to hers and Juliette felt nauseous.

"There you love birds are!" Blaze pulled away at the sound of his mother. His forehead covered on frown lines, as he looked at her. "Juliette's family is here." She confided.

"Thank you mother." He responded and the woman left. He linked Juliette hand in his arm and lead her outside.

"Juliette."

"Dad." Juliette walked out of Blaze's touch and hugged a man with kind features. His eyes alighting at the sight of his daughter. Juliette turned towards a figure standing at over six feet. His expression set in stone, the only part of him human were his eyes, he opened his arms and Juliette walked into them.

He hugged her passionately, the corners of his lips quirking upwards, his shoulders eased; all tension gone. He let go of the hug and held her at arms-length. "Are you alright?"

Juliette wanted to hug her brother once more and tell him that everything was not alright. She wanted him to cradle her the same way he used to whenever she was heartbroken. She wanted to be vulnerable for once but she smiled under his scrutiny and replied, "I missed you."

She once again turned her attention away and towards the kind woman at her brother's side; his wife. Juliette hugged her carefully ensuring she hadn't squeezed her enormous belly. The woman studied her just as her brother did, wanting to ensure she was in fact well. "How is the baby?" Juliette enquired impatiently.

The woman smiled placing and instinctive hand on her stomach. "Just one more month and she'll be here." Her happiness was contagious and Juliette's eyes widened.

"Really! I can't wait to be an aunt! I am gonna spoil you rotten!" Juliette directed at the woman's enlarged belly, the woman laughing in acceptance.

Juliette was interrupted by a cough, she looked towards her mother. "Mom." She acknowledged and the woman eyed her, her gaze falling to Blaze. "Aren't you going to introduce us to your boyfriend?" she spat the last word contemptuously.

Juliette sighed and opened her mouth to concede.

"Blaze Matthews, nice to meet you." He interrupted. "The boyfriend." He added, his eyes shining with mischief.

"Right." Juliette intercepted before the scene grew ugly. He mother obviously hadn't liked that Blaze didn't stoop to her, despite him being the most gorgeous man her mother ever saw, his moment of pride and self-righteousness earned him a seat in her most hated.

"Blaze, you know my father." they shock hands and Juliette continued. "This is Seth, my brother and his wife Laura."

"The pleasure is all mine." Blaze stared levelly into Seth's eyes, he was sure the man was trying to down size him but it was not possible.

Juliette stared anxiously between her brother and Blaze. It was like watching two alpha males fighting to remain at the top. Seth was as brutal as Blaze and all the same a womanizer. The difference; Seth fell for Laura and had no trouble in making her his. He knew his days of different women every other night was over and he welcomed it. Blaze however, hadn't found his reason and it ached her to know that.

Having decided that they both had the share the top both men finally shook hands. Juliette sighed in relief.

"Where's Danny?" And the tension came all over again! Juliette looked at her mother.

"I don't think anybody really cares." Juliette replied slowly, her eyebrows escalating in mock. Her mother snorted, "I would think differently! That was the guy for you but you threw him away." She confessed and attempted to control her anger. She felt Blaze beside her, felt his hand engulfing hers and she drew strength from him.

"Even so, you never thought I deserved him so it's just as well." Juliette retorted and watched her mother's eyes darken at Juliette's first quip.

"You-

"People are starting to file in, the ceremony is about to begin. May I show you to your seats?" Blaze offered them.

The ceremony passed by beautifully. The vows perfect, the couple reduced to a happy weeping mess and the atmosphere was everything the perfect wedding should be. Blaze sat in contentment. His little sister was happy and in the hands of someone he could trust.

Blaze sat at the open bar, somehow he had lost track of Juliette during the reception so he decided to take a drink or two. His not so proudest moment weighing him down, yet he knew it was the right thing.

He felt a pat on his shoulder, "Gonna get me a drink or do I have to wait until our second date before I boss you around?" The seat beside him occupied and Blaze looked on with admiration at Seth. It wasn't everyday he met someone who wasn't intimated by him and yet he had the feeling that was the same thoughts running through Seth's mind.

Blaze rose his glass in salute, "We could always skip the drinks and head back to my place." He retorted amusingly and the man beside him laughed. "For your sake I do hope that was never a scenario between you and my sister."

"I can assure you it wasn't." He put the man's mind at ease. "Juliette's not the kind of girl you find in a bar."

"You're damn right. She's worth more than that." He studied Blaze. "You know sometimes it's difficult to understand what it is we truly feel, especially when the feeling is foreign. But I have learnt that sometimes it takes us losing what we have to realise its worth."

Blaze stared at him, he doubted this man ever lost anything in his life. "I guess I'll have to rely on your view until I form my own."

"And I promise it will be of the same result. I hope you are deserving of my sister Blaze. I hope you realise her worth." Seth picked up the glass in front of him and downed the contents; he gave Blaze a pat on the back and rose to greet his pregnant wife with a kiss on the cheek.

Who would have thought a man like Seth; billionaire, handsome, and without dispute a womaniser, would be kissing his pregnant wife? Fate was unpredictable, its victims even more so.

Juliette sat with a blissful Mary. "When were back from our honeymoon, you and Blaze must come again." She coaxed and Juliette felt her heart constrict.

"I am not sure if I'll be able to make it next time." She eased.

Mary's brow furrowed, "Why ever not?"

"I may have lots of work to complete." She lied, of course she had tons of work but that was not the entire reason.

"Jwels! You know Blaze will not be harassed by late submissions, especially since the two of you are together."

"But-"

"Ok tell me the truth, what's going on? Is everything alright between you and Blaze?" Mary babbled and Juliette tried her best to calm her.

"Everything's fine." She thought for a moment. "It's just, I am not sure it's gonna work out between us."

Mary's eyes widened. "Why? Did he do something?"

"No. I am just in this for the long lasting relationships and Blaze isn't in a position to offer that." She tried to make Mary understand.

"But I've seen Blaze with you, he does love-"

"No, he doesn't. Maybe someday he will and I am sure she will be an amazing woman." Juliette tried to sound light hearted.

Mary thought for a while, her eyes saddened. "Do you love him?"